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Path of Miracles
The first movement covers the period of time between St. James' death, beheaded by King Herod, and the founding of the St. James cathedral almost a millennia later, in Santiago. This theme is dramatically demonstrated by the pasiputput technique used at the begining of the piece. In fact, this is something that Talbot does repeatedly throughout the whole piece -- making the themes and events described by the music manifest in the music itself.
There's a moment in the final movement, Santiago, where you can hear the moment when the pilgrims crest a hill and set eyes on Santiago for the first time.
I've put the pasiputput section up at Buffistarawk. It's a six minute section, about 8.5 megs. I think there's been some loss in my necessary multiple conversions and editing passes, but there should still be plenty of fidelity left.
More on other parts of the piece later, but I have to step away from the computer for a couple hours.
I'm glancing at Christgau's record guide online, and it's interesting looking at his A Lists. For each year he summarizes a list for every record rated A- or higher, or as he puts it "records which I recommend unreservedly."
Masterpieces Per Year is a useful rule of thumb to consider musical trends coming and going and when things peak.
So, without the rest of you looking at his website, what do you think are his top three years between 1970 and 1980 inclusive? And what's the worst year?
I could've guessed the worst year, but I would've been slightly off on the best years. (Hint: the most productive years usually come a year after legendary/breakthrough years.)
OK. I'll bite.
The best years are '77 through '79. The worst is '74.
Best: 77 and 81; worst, 87.
Best: 77 and 81; worst, 87.
Just through 1980, bon. Though I will go check on those years to assess their genius or craplitude.
Whoops, obviously I misread.
Whoops, obviously I misread.
Yeah, but you made a good call. 1987 is his second worst year of that decade with only 63 masterpieces. '85 was the worst. He doesn't rate '81 as a particularly great year - only 64.
What? No other guesses? I'll wait until tomorrow to answer.
Also? I want Charlotte Gainsbourg's album
Okay, while JZ, Emmett and Matilda are stuck in traffic I guess I'll start posting
Wassail Up?
Holiday Message Johnny Cash (1994)
And To All A Good Night 5 Chinese Brothers
Seth Green's Holiday Message
Twas The Night Snoop Doggy Dogg & Nate Dogg (1997)
Reggae Christmas Eve In Transylvania Count Floyd
Clint Frostwood (Chillaz) Chillaz
O Holy Night The Kids From South Park (1997)
We Wanna See Santa Do The Mambo Big John Greer
A Family Guy Christmas
Do You Hear What I Hear/You Really Got Me Bobby Lloyd And The Skeletons
Santa Claus The Sonics
This Holiday Season Porn Orchard (this is the Tom Waits carols with Peter Murphy parody)
Message From A Jew Jon Stewart (1995)
Christmas Day Detroit Junior
Soul Christmas Graham Parker
The Last Month Of The Year The Fairfield Four & The Nashville Bluegrass Band
The Xmas Files Dave Duchovny And Gillian Anderson (1995)
I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day Roy Wood With Wizzard
Things I Want Tenacious D
Merry Old Philosopher #1 Eddie Lawrence
Everything Is Cool John Prine
Merry Christmas From The Family Robert Earl Keen
Christmastime Is Here Combustible Edison
X-mas in Tattooine Uni and Dr. Trucker
Santa Claus Is Smoking Reefer Squirrel Nut Zippers (1996)
The Saddest Day Of The Year Jill Sobule
Deck The Halls R.E.M.
Nice, David.
(psst -- I think you skipped the Jon Stewart)
